Google removed derogatory reviews about McDonald’s on Monday following the arrest of a murder suspect at one of its Altoona, Pennsylvania, locations. Luigi Mangione, 26, was captured while eating at the restaurant after a customer alerted an employee. Mangione is accused of killing UnitedHealth executive Brian Thompson, 50, who was gunned down outside a Manhattan hotel last Wednesday. Authorities described the attack as a targeted shooting.
The arrest triggered a wave of “review bombing” on Google, with McDonald’s receiving numerous negative and one-star reviews unrelated to its services. One review falsely claimed, “This location has rats in the kitchen that will make you sick.” The comments seemed fueled by public outrage over rising healthcare costs, claim denials, and premium increases—issues connected to Thompson’s industry.
Google, citing its policies, stated the reviews violated guidelines requiring contributions to reflect genuine experiences at a business. “Content posted from multiple accounts to manipulate a place’s rating” is prohibited and was removed.
Thompson’s murder led to a five-day manhunt. Surveillance footage showed the masked suspect fleeing the scene on a bicycle, exiting Central Park, and boarding a bus to escape Manhattan. Police eventually tracked Mangione to Altoona, where his presence at McDonald’s resulted in his apprehension.
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